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By Bianca Wordley March 19, 2004 - 12:50PM
It was simply a case of notifying the next of kin, but when
police arrived at the dead man's house they found it packed
with bicycles.
Police knew the man had died while attempting to steal a
bicycle, but they didn't expect to find his home packed to
the rafters with them.
In the man's three bedroom weatherboard home in the
Victorian regional city of Geelong were 1,000 bicycles and
boxloads of bike parts.
Police superintendent Steve Barber said it was understood
the man, who was aged in his 60s, died "in the progress of
stealing a bike in Swanston Street in Melbourne last week".
"On attending the house police found it virtually packed to
the brim with bicycles," Supt Barber said today.
"Some of the rooms were stacked three-high with bikes.
"It was pretty unusual."
Supt Barber said it was unclear how many of the bikes
were stolen, as the man also "had a habit of buying
bicycles as well".
"It appears the man was well known to a number of bicycle
premises in Geelong," he said.
"He had also come to be known to police in regards to
stealing bicycles."
Supt Barber said police were working around the clock to try
to clear the house of all the bikes which ranged in style
and value.
He said it took police four hours and two trucks yesterday
just to move 100 bikes from the scene.
It's understood most of the stolen bikes were taken from
Melbourne, however, it would take police some time to
unravel the mystery.
Senior Sergeant Adrian Benny, who is working on the case,
today said he had never seen anything like it.
"In every room including his bedroom, bathroom and kitchen
there are bikes, bike helmets, parts, chains, seats and
tyres ... it's something else," Sen Sgt Benny said.
"There are also bikes down the side of the house and there
are two sheds full.
"It's a logistical nightmare."
He said it was "ironic" the man who was known to neighbours
as an "enthusiastic bike collector" died while trying to
steal a bike.
"He must have had a bike fetish," he said.
Police have not released details on the man's cause of
death.